Creative Ideas for a Gutter Downspout Splash Guard

Gutters control the runoff of roof water and channel it into specific areas, keeping water away from the foundation. Sometimes the gutters discharge the water out of the downspouts in odd areas where a leader cannot be used, or is inconvenient to use. In this case, a splash guard can be used to direct the water.

Decorative Rain Barrel

Collect the water from the downspout and use it in your garden. A decorative rain barrel serves as a splash guard while collecting water that can be used to water all of your plants. This is an eco-friendly and cost efficient way to keep your garden looking lush and beautiful all summer long. The rain barrels can be small or large and shaped like pottery or planters rather than barrels.

Custom Concrete Splash Guard

Create your own splash block with concrete. Spray a casserole pan with non-stick spray. Simply take concrete mix and mix it with water until it has the consistency of peanut butter in the casserole pan. Make the sides slightly higher than the middle with a rolling pin and add decorative elements like hand prints, glass pieces or jewelry. Once the concrete sets up, remove the concrete splash block from the pan and place it under the downspout.

Recycled Glass Splash Guard

Take a regular plastic splash guard and add some interest to it with recycled landscaping glass. This glass can be multicolored or consistently colored, providing the area with a focal point that can be tied into other elements of your landscape. The glass is tumbled to make the edges dull so the glass cannot cut you. This type of glass works great in fire pit areas as well.

How to Install a Drain Valve in a Plastic Barrel

Remove the lid of the plastic barrel and lay the barrel on its side. Select the location for installing your drain valve. If you are constructing a rain barrel, select a spot 2 to 3 inches from the bottom of the barrel.

Insert a 1-inch drill bit into your electric drill and drill a hole through the spot you selected.

Screw the threaded end of a plastic drain through the hole. Remove the plastic drain valve and wrap the threaded end in 2 layers of Teflon tape.

Coat the threaded end in waterproof caulk and screw the drain back into the hole. Let it sit overnight.

Apply a thread of caulk around the valve where it meets the barrel, both on the inside and outside of the barrel. Let it dry for 24 hours.

How to Transplant a Barrel Cactus

Barrel cactus plants are shaped as the name implies, stout and fat with thick ridges that ascend in a slight spiral toward the crown. They sport long, slightly hooked spines and in spring burst forth with plump, yellow fruit shaped like tiny pineapples. Like many desert specimens, they adapt well to harsh conditions and can sometimes be found hiding beneath shady desert scrub.

How to Clean Plastic Herbicide Barrels

Empty any remaining herbicide onto barren soil that is far removed from any water sources, including the water table. Allow the herbicide to drip or pour out for at least 30 seconds.

Fill the barrel one-quarter full of water and shake it or seal it and roll it on the ground.

Rinse the inside and outside of the barrel with the spray from a hose for at least 30 seconds.

Fill the barrel with a 1 to 25 ratio solution of ammonia and water (5 oz of ammonia per gallon of water). Leave the solution to soak overnight.

Pour the solution out of the bucket.

Scrub all parts of the herbicide barrel with a brush dipped in a fresh batch of ammonia solution.

Rinse the barrel again by spraying it with a hose for at least 30 seconds. Then fill the barrel with water and pour it out twice.

Allow the barrel to air dry.

Information on the Barrel Cactus

Identification

Barrel cactuses, also known as ferocactus, are cylindrical cactuses that are about 5 to 6 inches in diameter, according to Clemson University. They are covered with long, sharp spines and can grow up to a foot tall.

Types

There are a few varieties of barrel cactuses available. The compass barrel cactus has deep red spines while the candy barrel cactus has distinct red and white spines. All varieties of barrel cactuses bloom with flowers that can be purple or orange.

Care

Like all arid cactuses, barrel cactuses can tolerate a good deal of neglect as long as they are kept in well-drained soil. Be sure that your cactus is not kept in standing water as it will quickly rot the roots.

How to Prevent Mosquitoes in Rain Barrels

Cut a piece of window screen to fit over the large opening of the rain barrel (for rain barrels with openings on top). Use heavy-duty scissors to cut the screen.

Place the window screen over the top opening to cover the entire opening.

Secure the screen with a bungee cord to hold it in place.

Measure out an appropriate amount of mosquito larvicide to place into the rain barrel. Depending upon the formulation of the product, you may need 1 tsp. to prevent mosquito larvae on the surface of a rain barrel. Alternatively, use one circular Mosquito Dunk in a rain barrel--the disk will slowly disintegrate in the water over the next month and will prevent larvae from growing in the water. Consult package recommendations for the proper amount of larvicide to use and for the timing of repeat applications.

How to Fix Wood Barrel Planters

Step 01

Cut wine barrels in half to produce smaller, more manageable planters. Cut the top half off the barrel off and turn it over for a second planter, or cut the barrels in half from top to bottom to produce longer, more shallow planters.

Step 11

Drill four to five holes in the bottom of each wine barrel planter for drainage. Plants and vegetables suffer in muddy soil or standing water but thrive in any container with adequate drainage and nutrition.

Step 21

Waterproof the wood for more protection. Without waterproofing, water will seep into the wood and warp it over time. Paint the inside of the barrels with non-toxic waterproofing solution, and paint the bottom 6 inches of the outside surface.

Step 31

Lay 4 to 5 inches of brick, stone or gravel in the bottom of each barrel. This foundation fills space more cheaply than soil and encourages the best possible drainage.

Step 41

Mix a potting soil of 1 part organic compost to 1 part garden loam for moist, nutritious and quick-draining foundations. Potted plants require better nutrition and moisture in their soil, as they have limited access to fresh soil and dry more quickly. Fill each barrel planter to within 2 inches of the top with this mixture, then add 5-10-10 or 10-10-10 fertilizer. Plant according to your personal tastes.

Will Perennial Herbs Grow in a Barrel?

Yes, you can grow perennial herbs can be grown in a barrel. The barrel must have adequate drainage holes, and you should fill it with good potting soil. Most herbs prefer to grow in full sun.

How to Winterize a Rain Barrel

Place the rain barrel along a south-facing wall to keep it as warm as possible, if it is going to be used in winter. Disconnect hoses to avoid accidental freezing and damage to fittings. Leave the spigot open except when collecting water for a specific purpose.

Prepare for major winter rain storms. Reattach the barrel's overflow hose when a storm is predicted so the barrel won't overflow into the home's foundation.

Disconnect the rain barrel from the gutter downspout if it won't be in use during the winter months. Attach an extender to the downspout to divert water away from the home's foundation.

Flip the rain barrel over away from the house's foundation and completely empty it.

Store the rain barrel and accessories in a garage or garden shed if space is available. If not, place it upside down in a sheltered area of the yard.

Can You Grow Fig Trees in Wine Barrels?

A fig tree can be grown in a wine barrel. Drill holes in the bottom of the wine barrel to provide the tree with drainage. A wine barrel gives the fig tree a large, heavy anchor. Place wheels on the bottom of the wine barrel to make it easier to move the tree around.